www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Orthodox cross inscriptions

Hey guys. I've seen this cross used by the Orthodox in quite a few places.



Does anyone know what the inscriptions mean? And is this cross only used by the Orthodox? If so, would it be prudent for Catholics to use this image or keep it in their homes?

Mister:

Chris is in our midst!!

Welcome to the forum.

Some of our Slavic members should be able to tell you what the inscriptions are meant to convey.

As far as Catholics using this image, there should be no problem with that at all. IMHO it wouldn't be any different from using an image that had Latin inscriptions. However, I'll leave the definite answer to the brethren here once they have translated the letters.

Bob
Moderator

The image posted is found on the analavos (Greek)/analav (Slavonic) of the Great Schema monks. The analavos is similar to the scapular worn by Latin monastics. The image is of the instruments of the Lord’s passion. This image contains Cyrillic characters and is in Slavonic Here’s an explanation of the Greek analavos:

http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/08/analavos-of-great-schema-explained.html?m=1

Deacon John:

Christ is in our midst!!

I tried the link you provided and I got a message that says "(s)orry, the page you were looking for in this blog does not exist."

Bob

Deacon John:

Christ is in our midst!!

I had to put "analavos" into the search block to get the explanation.

Bob

I think I fixed the link.

By the way, some Eastern Catholic monks and nuns are tonsured to receive the Great Schema.

These Cyrillic letters are also abbreviations or contractions -- indicated by the "titla" above the letters -- which can make it even harder to decipher. Here's my attempt:


IC XC Іисус Христос Iesus Christos Jesus Christ [C=s)
ни KA _____ Ni ka Slavonic transliteration of the Greek(νικᾷ) Conquers

This is also what is stamped in the loaf for the Eucharist, the portion removed during the Proskomedia Rite (the Preparation) called the "lamb."

on top of the cross bar
Сынъ Божіи Syne Bozhij Son of God

under the bar far left and right

Царь Tsar King_________ славы slavi of Glory

K копие kopie=spear ________ T трость trost=reed

on the left at the base of the cross
МЛ Место лобное ML mesto lobnoje
Place of the Skull


base at right
РБ рай бысть RB raje byst
becomes Paradise

рай raje means garden but the Greek of the LXX renders the Hebrew גַּן = gan=garden as παράδεισος= paradeisos=Paradise

either side of skull and bones
Г глава G/H hlava or glava Head __________ А Адама Adama of Adam